Hypotonic formulations of hydrogel forming polymers, preferably poloxamers, have been developed for enhanced delivery through mucosa of therapeutic, diagnostic, prophylactic or other agents, to epithelial tissues, especially those having a mucosal coating. The polymers are administered at a concentration above, at or less than their critical gelling concentration (CGC) under isotonic conditions. The hypotonicity of the formulation is adjusted so that the polymer gels at the lower concentration. A Poloxamer gel administered into the vagina or colorectum at its CGC will form a plug of gel in the lumen.

Self-actuating articles including, for example, self-actuating needles and/or self-actuating biopsy punches, are generally provided. Advantageously, the self-actuating articles described herein may be useful as a general platform for delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs that are typically delivered via injection directly into tissue due to degradation in the GI tract. The self-actuating articles described herein may also be used to deliver sensors and/or take biopsies without the need for an endoscopy. In some embodiments, the article comprises a spring (e.g., a coil spring, a beam, a material having particular mechanical recovery characteristics). Those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the term spring is not intended to be limited to coil springs, but generally encompass any reversibly compressive material and/or component which, after releasing an applied compressive force on the material/component, the material/component substantially returns to an uncompressed length of the material/component (e.g., the within 95% of the length of the material/component prior to compression).

Particles, compositions, and methods that aid particle transport in mucus are provided. The compositions and methods may include, in some embodiments, modifying the surface coatings of particles including pharmaceutical agents that have a low water/aqueous solubility. In some embodiments, a surface coating includes a synthetic polymer having pendant hydroxyl groups on the backbone of the polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Such compositions and methods can be used to achieve efficient transport of particles of pharmaceutical agents though mucus barriers in the body for a wide spectrum of applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostic applications. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition including such particles is well-suited for administration routes involving the particles passing through a mucosal barrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an efinaconazole-containing film-forming preparation, which has no sticky surface after solidification thereof, has sufficient cohesiveness after solidification thereof, and is easily peeled without washing. The present invention provides a therapeutic preparation for onychomycosis, comprising efinaconazole or a salt thereof, 1% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less of ethyl cellulose, 20% by weight or more of a volatile solvent (wherein the volatile solvent is water or a liquid component having a boiling point lower than that of water), and 0.01% by weight or more and less than 30% by weight of a surfactant.

Disclosed is a therapeutic substance application packet consisting of two or more, different, size ranges of therapeutic substance granules, wherein granules of the different size ranges have different dissolving and exfoliating properties. Further disclosed are an apparatus for application of therapeutic substance application packet and a process for production of same.

A pharmacological composition for the treatment of bacterial and protozoal infections in a patient. The preferred pharmacological composition comprises a pharmaceutical carrier and an active composition selected from the group consisting of: a) an amount of sodium oxalate and an amount of oxalic acid, b) an amount of sodium citrate and an amount of citric acid, or c) mixtures of a) and b). The amounts and weight ratios of a) the sodium oxalate and oxalic acid, and b) the sodium citrate and citric acid in the active composition are such as to produce a safe and effective pharmacological composition. Sodium salts of other carboxylic acids may be used. The invention also relates to the method of using the pharmacological composition for the safe and effective treatment of bacterial infections, protozoal infections and dermatological diseases.

Hypotonic formulations of hydrogel forming polymers, preferably poloxamers, have been developed for enhanced delivery through mucosa of therapeutic, diagnostic, prophylactic or other agents, to epithelial tissues, especially those having a mucosal coating. The polymers are administered at a concentration above, at or less than their critical gelling concentration (CGC) under isotonic conditions. The hypotonicity of the formulation is adjusted so that the polymer gels at the lower concentration. A Poloxamer gel administered into the vagina or colorectum at its CGC will form a plug of gel in the lumen.

A laser treatment system includes a laser device configured to produce a laser beam at a wavelength in an ultraviolet spectrum to provide for tissue ablation, a lens configured to focus and direct the laser beam to a site to form an opening in a surface of the site, a valve connected to a first channel, and a nozzle that emits the laser beam and controls delivery of at least a first substance and a second substance to the site. A portion of the first channel is disposed within a first sidewall of the nozzle to deliver the first substance, and a second channel unconnected with the valve is disposed within a second sidewall of the nozzle to deliver the second substance.

The invention is directed to a method for preventing nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a patient receiving high dose radioactive iodine for treatment of cancer. The method includes administering an effective amount of perchlorate anion to the eyes of the patient.

A method for laser assisted delivery of therapeutic agents includes selectively controlling a valve connected to a first channel disposed within a first sidewall of a nozzle, applying, through the first channel, a first substance to penetrate dermis to a predetermined depth, and administering, through a second channel unconnected with the valve and disposed within a second sidewall of the nozzle, a second substance to remove debris.